3.15 Should the country offices not agree on a course of action, the issue shall be referred to both headquarters for appropriate resolution. Pending resolution, food assistance will be provided at the level established by the last agreed assessment, if applicable.
4. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR FOOD MOBILIZATION AND MILLING
4.1 WFP is responsible for mobilizing the following commodities, whether for general or selective feeding programmes: cereals; edible oils and fats; pulses and other sources of protein; blended foods; salt; sugar; and high-energy biscuits. Where beneficiaries are totally dependent on food aid, WFP will ensure the provision of blended foods or other fortified commodities in order to prevent or correct micronutrient deficiencies.
4.2 UNHCR is responsible for mobilizing complementary commodities. These include: local fresh foods; spices; tea; and dried and therapeutic milks.
4.3 The joint needs assessment will determine the specific commodities and quantities required. The assessment will also determine whether cereals are to be provided in whole grain or as flour. For practical, nutritional and environmental reasons, it is generally preferable to provide flour in the early stages of an emergency, but such provision may be difficult to sustain in protracted operations. If whole grain is provided, local milling capacity must be available, and the ration should include compensation for milling costs (normally 10 percent up to 20 percent, if justified), if these costs are borne by the beneficiaries. WFP is responsible for mobilizing the necessary resources for milling and will provide milling facilities to the beneficiaries where feasible.
4.4 WFP will consult UNHCR immediately should it become clear that WFP may not be able to ensure the timely arrival and/or milling of food to meet the needs agreed under the MOU, whether because of unavailability of resources, delayed deliveries, logistical problems, or any other constraints. Corrective action may include borrowing from the Central Emergency Revolving Fund of the United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs and UNHCR advancing funds to WFP against later reimbursement.
4.5 In particular cases where micronutrient requirements cannot be met through the ration, UNHCR will assume responsibility for the provision of the necessary micronutrients until the ration can be adjusted or fortified to meet these needs.
5. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR FOOD DELIVERY AND DISTRIBUTION
5.1 WFP is responsible for the timely transport to agreed extended delivery points (EDPs) of sufficient quantities of those food commodities it is responsible for mobilizing. WFP is also responsible for storing these commodities at the EDPs, and for managing the latter. WFP will keep UNHCR informed of the in-country logistical arrangements made to implement the agreed programme.
5.2 The location of an EDP will be proposed by the country offices, in accordance with agreed guidelines, and confirmed by UNHCR and WFP headquarters. The location selected should minimize overall costs and maximize management efficiency of the operation as a whole. EDPs should be located where sufficient warehousing space can be made available to ensure regular final distribution and the most efficient possible onward transportation, thus avoiding the need for further intermediate storage or trans-shipment between the EDP and the distribution location. Management and security considerations are particularly important. There should normally be a full-time UNHCR and WFP presence at the EDP location.
5.3 Unless otherwise agreed, UNHCR is responsible for the transportation of all commodities from the EDP and for their final distribution. Responsibility will be assumed ex-warehouse (i.e., EDP) or Free-on-Truck/Free-on-Rail, taking into consideration practice in the country. UNHCR shall make all logistical arrangements for the food commodities for whose mobilization it is responsible, and shall keep WFP informed of the logistical arrangements made to implement the agreed programme.
